RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Some, however, were left in flood of tears, totally unimpressed with the whole experience.

The children underwent the ceremony ahead of Buddha's birthday to join an order that has more than 10 million followers - a fifth of the nation's population.

It's not fair! A Buddhist child bawls his eyes out as he is held by his mother after having his head shaved during his initiation ceremony

New generation: The Jogye Order represents traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1,200 years

Not so sure: These three youngsters don't appear entirely convinced by their new hair cuts

Where's my hair gone?! While some were overjoyed with their new image, others weren't quite so impressed

The children will stay at the temple to learn about Buddhism for 14 days.

The
Jogye Order represents traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date
back 1,200 years to Unified Silla National Master Doui, who brought
Seon, also known as Zen, to the country from China in about 820 C.E.

In 1994, the Jogye order had 1,725 temples, 10,056 clerics and had 9,125,991 adherents.

Satisfied customer: A child rubs his bald head and sticks out his tongue after getting his hair shaved off during the ceremony

High-fives all round: A beaming apprentice monk gestures with his friend. The children will stay at the temple to learn about Buddhism for 14 days

New look: Each child was ceremoniously given the chop for their initiation to the Jogye order at the Jogye temple in South Korea's capital of Seoul

Happy: The children underwent the ceremony ahead of Buddha's birthday to join an order that has more than 10 million followers - a fifth of the nation's population

Last year, six monks from the order
quit after being secretly filmed drinking, smoking and playing a poker
game in which more than £600,000 was won.

South Korean television showed shots
of the monks who had gathered at a luxury lakeside hotel for a
colleague’s memorial service.

Gambling outside of licensed casinos and horse racing tracks is illegal in South Korea and frowned upon by religious leaders.

In prayer: The Jogye Order originated when Unified Silla National Master Doui brought Seon, also known as Zen, to the country from China in about 820CE

Widely followed: In 1994, the Jogye order had 1,725 temples, 10,056 clerics and had 9,125,991 adherents

The head of the order made a public apology after the footage was aired, vowing ‘self-repentance’.

Buddha was born approximately 2,557 years ago, although the exact date is unknown.

His official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which falls on May 17 this year.

Significant: The ceremony was held ahead of Buddha's birthday who was born approximately 2,557 years ago, although the exact date is unknown

Swotting up: Buddha's official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which falls on May 17 this year